Switch mechanism



June 15 1926.

1 J; wlcK SWITCH IECHANISI Filed May 31, 1924 2 Sants-Sheet 1 Mm. um, Vw. Rn Iwm ma w www u Q a m QN m NN QN wm June 15 1926.

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SWITCH MECHANISM Filed May 3l, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nm. Sw www# @Re NW Y mm G 9 v e I Q a# e u e e G e WWW n. v G 9 9 S \Y QN. .u\w w n Nmwm NW. @f www, Mh. `kwlmu A wmm/rfl @E e mm, R ,i1-lli .H Nm. MMU Nw MM. uw mw @am Q um, W En. mmwnwmm m @IWI l VSNU: o, @w f mh. .n KW VI,|1INH1M o NW. y l QW l @N wvm QN. .QM WW .N M@ W@ PATENT oFFicE.

Louis J. wrox, or HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH IECHANIBH.

Application inea ny 31,1914. serial mi. 717,090.

My invention relates to electrical switch mechanism for conditioning, at will, the several sound-producing elements of a group thereof comprising a'unit or section ofthe musical instrument, for selective operation of these elements through devices employed for this purpose. Such a sound-producing unit, by way of example, comprises a group of pipes of an organ associated with electrically-controlled means -v'vliereby such group may be'rendered'operative or inoperative, at will for actuation by the -keys of the organ.

It may be further stated as a prefaceto theJ description of my `invention that many musical instruments, as for example, organs, comprise a number of sound-producing .sections Vor units each formed of a plurality of sound-producin elements, as for example pipes, these" various units or sections being associated with stop-keys of the organ Vand oftentimes being placed at different, relatively remote, parts of a room, and in the playing of the instrument these various units ior sections are rendered operative, or inoperative, atwill, and in any desired combination, by the operator of the instrument, for simultaneously' roducing, by each of the units conditione for playing, correspondingnotes, upon actuating the note-sounding keys of the instrument.

In further explanation, by way of example, of the situation in which my invention may be used, and for use in which situation it was more particularly devised, it ma be stated that the electrical switch mechanisms referred to, and each comprising a plurality of switches, are disposed in circuit, respectively, with the various means, commonly operated through the medium of the playing keys of the instrument land which control the operation of the individual soundproducing elements comprising the various units orl sections of the musical instrument. Where-the sound-producing elements are pipes, each has associated therewith, as organs Vare kcommonly provided, an electrically controlled valve, the operation of which is controlled by a corresponding portion of the switch mechanism above referred to and operating when actuated to admit air to the particular pipe controlled thereby for causing this pipe to operate.

Inasmuch as the switch inbefore referred to each comprise a relatively large number of switch devices forming a sans 0r snss'eaC-h sans being over# v mechanism. y

mechanisms -hereated to closed -and open positions, through the medium of a single electrically operated device, and furthermore asit is required that the contacts ofthese various switch devices, when in engagement with each other, be under siiicient pressure to make the desired electrical contacts, the resistance afforded by these switch devices in the opening and closing thereof is of considerable moment particularly as regardsthe. amount of currentrequired to operate them.

l Furthermore while, in the normal playing of the instrument, the circuits in which these switches are interposed, are opened-and closed through parts of the instrument, other than the switches referred to, it oftentimes happens that the-ioper'ator so manipulates the`-` eys that one or more of the circuits in which certain ofthe switch devices are interposed, is, or are, broken 4by the return of the gang switches asa unit, to open condi-v tion, and thus arcing occurs at this swiitch My primary objectsfare to provide a novel, simple and positively operating switch mechanism; another object is to provide a construction of switch mechanism which,

may be operated with a minimum amount of current; another object is to provide a construction of switch mechanism which will not become impaired by arcing at any one of its switch elements, and by which the de- `sired,firm` electrical contact between the relatively movable members of each switch device, is insured; and another object is toy generally Improve upon structures of this general character, to the end that they will' function in an improved manner.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view, partly diagrammatic, of a portion of anorgan'equi'pp'ed with switch mechanisms constructed in accordance with my invention, this view showing one only of the plurality of said -switch mechanisms, and which would be provided either as a singleunitor in multiples thereof for eachv group of sound-producing devices, one only i of the sound-producing devices ofthe par ticular group shown as controlled by the illustrate switch mechanism, being illustrated,this sound-producing device being illustrated as an organ pipe, and only one key,

the key for controlling the sounding of this l particular'pipe, being shown, certain of the ure 2 is a Viewv of my mprovedlswitc parts illustrated being shown insection; Figi;

mechanism; Figure 3 is a section taken at -the line 3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, certain of the parts thereof being shown in elevation; Figure 4 is an end View of the structure shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged section taken at the line 5 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Figure 6 is a section taken at the line 6 on Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and Figure 7, a v,section taken at the line 7 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

As a preface to the following description of my improved switch mechanism, reference will irst'be made to the diagrammatic showing in Fig. 1, illustrating the application of the switchmechanism, in which arrangement, 10 represents one of the group of the valve 12 being 4shown as provided on an armature 13 pivoted at 14 to a bracket 15 located in, and secured to a wall of, the air chest 11. The armature 13 co-operates with thepole piece, or core, 16 of an electromagnet 17 secured at its core to the bracket 15, the armat-ure 13 being yieldingly held in the normal position shown in Fig, 1, in 'which position the valve 12 is closed, by a spring 18 carried by the bracket 15 and bearing against the armature 13, it being understood that when the electro-magnet 17 is energized, the valve 12 is opened and air is supplied from the air chest 11 to the pipe l() for sounding the latter, it being further understood that each ofthe organ pipes supplied withv air vfrom the air chest 11, has associated therewith onel of the lelectricallyv controlled valve devices as above explained l and shown in Fig. 1.

Associated with each of the valve mechanisms above referred to, is a playing key of the organ, one of these keys being represented lat 19, this key, in accordance with common practice, being adapted to rock upon a fulcrum 20 and in being depressed at its outer end, effecting, at its portion 21, the engagement of the relatively movable con- 4tacts 22 and 23 of a switch device 24, to

close the circuit at this switch, there being provided one of the switches 24 for each electro-magnet' 17.

The closing of the. circuit through the magnet 17, responsive to the depression of the key 19 co-operating therewith, is dependent upon the closing of the circuit in which the magnet 17 and the switch 24 are interposed, through switch mechanism rcferred to in the foregoing preamble ,and

meaoai which switch mechanism embodies my improvements, this switch mechanism being represented generally at 25 and controllable lby a single'operation to prevent, or permit, at will, the operation of the magnet 17, responsive to the operation of the keys 19.

The diagrammatic showing in Fig. 1 illustrates al typical circuit arrangement involving the parts described, the source of current supply, represented at 26, being shown as in the form of a generator with its terminals connected with the switch contact 23 and one of the terminals of the magnet 17, by Wires 27 and 28, the other terminal of the magnet 17 being connectedby a wire 29 with one of the contacts of the switch mechanism 25 and hereinafter described, and the switch contact 22 being connected by a wire 30 with the one of the contacts ofv the switch 25 forming the companion of the contact thereof connected with the wire 29. Thus when the switch 25 is closed and the key 19 depressed, the circuit will be closed through the magnet 17 with the result of opening the valve 12` for permitting actuating air to flow from the chest 11 into the pipe 10. As will be hereinafter more fully explained, the switch 25 comprises a plurality of sets of companion contact members which in practice, would be in circuit, respectively, with a number of magnets 17 and switches 24,v corresponding in number with the contact members justreferred to, one set of contacts and one switch 24 bing provided for each magnet 17. Thus when any one of the keys 19' is operated, it will cause, sassuming the switch 25 to be closed, the actuation of the particular one of the magnets 17 in circuit therewith.

Referring now to the particular, illustrated, constructionof switch mechanism 25, this mechanism is shown as comprising a base platev 31 carrying a Contact bar 32 supported thereon with interposed strips of insulating material 33 vdisposed at its opposite ends. The bar 32carries an Lipper series of Contact members 34 and the base. plate 31 a lower series of contact members 35 directly bpp'osing the contacts 34, each s'et of the contacs 34 and 35 being preferably in the form of spring metal strips secured, between their ends,"to the bar and base plate 31, respectively, as by means of the screws 36 and 37, the various wires which would lead to the respective magnets 17, as for example the wire 29 for one of the magnets, being conne-ted with the outer ends of the contacts 35 and the several wires which would lead from the upper set of contacts 34 to therespective switches 24, as for example in the case of the wire 30, being connected with the outer ends of these contacts.

The switch mechanism now being described, also comprises means, of unitary construction, for electrically connecting te* gether the contacts of the lower series 35 thereof with the opposed contacts 34 of the upper series thereof, these means comprising a bar 38 extending crosswise of the contacts 34 and 3,5 and. intov the space therebetween.4

The bar is provided at opposite ends with plates 39 equipped with outwardly extending trunnions 40 which are journalled in brackets 41 secured to theupper face of the base member 31, the trunnions 40 being surrounded by bushings 42 of felt, or any other suit-able material, and this part of the structure being preferably so constructed that the trunnions. 40 will be dis sed rather loosely in these bushings, where y the bar 38 is capable of slight up and down movement on the brackets 41. The bar 38 is preferably so disposed relative to the trunnions 40, as shown, that the under surface of the bar extends above the axes of lthese trunnions. The bar 38 is provided with a series of pins 43 extending crosswise thereof and each protruding at one end above the upper face of the bar and at its lower end below the lower surface of the bar, .these,pins, which are preferably pointed at their o osite ends, being so arranged that they willbedirectly in alignment with the various sets of contact devices, each comprising an upper and lower contact 34 and 35. 'lhe pins 43l are preferably so disposed, as shown, that their lower pointed ends will extend a slight distance below the axes of the trunnions 40 at which extremities they bear against the upper surfaces of the respective lower contacts 35, the latter, under `their spring tension, hearing yieldingly intan upward direction against the lower ends'of these pins with such force as to make the desired electrical Contact therebetween, it bein preferred that the parts be so constructe and arranged that the lower ends of the pins 43 remain in engagement, at all times, with the contacts 35. The upper ends of the pins 43, on the other hand, move into `and out of engagement with the respective sprin contacts 34 above them, in the rocking 0% the bar 38v in opposite directions, the parts being so constructed and arranged that when the bar 38 is rocked to circuit-closing position, the desired pressure of the contacts 34 against the pins 43 for establishing the requisite electrical contact, is produced. v

The meansshown for rocking the bar 38 into and out of a position in which the switch mechanism 25 is closed, comprises an electro-magnet 44 provided with a core 45 at which the magnet-is connected with one arm of an angle-bracket 46, the v bracket being connected at its other arm 47 with the base 31, as through the medium of the screws 48 and 49 extending through this arm and into the base, the latter being provided with the adjustingy screw 5() extending upwardly through the base and bearing A.against thel one end Iof the bar 38, the arrangement of the parts just described being such that when the magnet 44 is tie-energized, in

which position 'the armature 5l occupies the position shown in the drawings, the rock member 38 -will bein a position in which the pins 43 are out of engagement with the contacts v34, as shown in the drawings, and

when the magnet 44 is energized, thc rock bar 38 will be swung ,to the right in Fig. 1 to a position in which the pins 43 will be in engagement with the respective contacts 34 and the switch mechanism25 thereby rendered in closed condition. In the particular construction shown the armature 5l vcarries a leaf-spring 56, which bears at its' free end against thelmagnet 44, and preferably would be used only where the mechanism would be so positioned that the armature must be forced by some means to a posi` tion in which the switch mechanism is in open condition, as distinguished from the action of gravity, which latter is preferably the only force used where the mechanism is so positioned as shown in the drawings, that4 the armature lowers in the opening of the switch mechanism.

-'Phe electro-magnet 44 may be controlled in any desirable way for rendering the switch mechanism 25 closed or open as desired. When the device is installed, as for example lin an organ, `the electro-magnet, by way of example, would be connected with the particular stop key of the organ corresponding with the particular group of sound-,producing devices, the operation of which is controlled by the switch mechanism referred to.

`It will be understood from the foregoing`- description that by constructing a switch mechanism in accordance with my invention, even where the portions of the pins 43 which engage the contacts 35, have a slight movement onl the latter, which is desirable,

that a relatively small amount of current is' required to rock the bar 38l as minimum resistance to the closing of the switch, is afforded. It will be further noted that the upper ends of the pins 43 have a relatively' great sweep across the contacts 34 and thus not only is the device rendered self-cleaning, but any accumulations, or corrosion,

llt)

` ing of the bar 38.

due to the arcing under the conditions hereinbefore explained, are so remotely disposed relative to the portions of the contacts 34 which are engaged by the pins 43 in the closed position of the switch, that they do not affect the passage of the current through the switch mechanism in its closed position, it being noted that when arcing does occur, it occurs at the portions of the contacts 34 opposed by the pins 43 where disengagement of these pins from these con- Furthermore in view of the fact thatrthe lower extremities of the pins 43 are located closely adjacentio the axes of the trunnions 40, and thus these pins practically rock on the contacts 34 without materially dciiecting the flatter, relatively great pressure may be provided between the contacts 3,5 and the pins, without creating objectionable frictional resistance to the rock- Furthermore, it will be noted that by constructing the switch mechanism in accordance 'with my invention, the switch devices for all ot' the sound-producing elements of a group thereof, instead of being provided in a single switch mechanism and provided with one operating element whereby all of theswitch devices for said group are controlled by the rocking of a single member, may be divided into groups, each group of switch devices comprising one of the mecha'- nisms 25, which would then become one unit of a number suiiicient to provide the proper control for all of the sound-producing elements of the group, these several switchmechanism-units being adapted to be closely stacked together to occupy a relatively small amount of space in the instrument.

This unit idea as to the switch mechanisms, also presents another advantage from the practical standpoint, inasmuch as such units Vare adaptable for use in connection with groups of sound-producing elements, of

widely varying numbers which is often the case in organs, as distinguished from requiring the switch mechanism for any particular Agroup of sound-producing elements to be specially constructed for such particular group depending upon the number of sound-producing elements of which it is comprised.

Referring to the matter'of the adaptability of thevelectro-magnet device 44 for adjustment into different positions on the switch base 3.1, this is of advantage inasmuchas it permits of the positioning of the `magnet relative to the armature for effecting the most eicientoperation of the magnet in the actuation of the contact bar 38.

It may be further stated that whereas the key 19in Fig. 1 .is shown as controlling only one circuit, namely ,that in which the magnet 17 and. the lswitch; mechanism 25 is nweasel terposed, in actual practice this key, as also the other playing keys of the organ, would also control, through the switch 24, circuits in which other switch mechanisms 25 and other controlling devices, as for example magnet 17, of other groups of sound-producing devices, would be interposed, each group being controlled by the switch mechanism 25 individual thereto, so that the operation of one key 19 may eect the sounding of one sound-producing element of one group thereof or in addition thereto corresponding sound-producingu elements ot other groups thereof, depending upon the positions occupied by the respective switch mechanisms 25, all in accordance with common practice but which latter does not involve switch mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention.

' While I have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit, of my invention.

I hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a pair of spaced contact elements, a pivoted switch member, a contact pin carried by said member extending above. and below the member, said contact pin being substantially pointed at its ends and the latter being engageable with said contact elements to electrically connect them, the lower end of said pin being disposed slightly below the axis line of said bar and constantly in engagement vwith the associated contact element, the upper end of said pin being remote from said axis line and movable into and out of engagement with the other contact element.

2. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a pair of 4spaced contact elements, a bar, plates lat the ends of said bar, means pivotally mounting said plates in oit-set re'- lation to the bar, a Contact pin carried by said bar extending above and below the bar, said contact pin being substantially pointed at its ends and the latter being engageable with said contactelements to electrically connect them, the lower end of said pin being disposed slightly below theaxis line of said bar and constantly in engagement with the associated contact element, the upper end of said pin being remote from said axis line and movableinto and out of engagement with the other contact element.

3. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a pairof spaced Contact elements, a pivoted switch member having a contact pin adapted at its ends to engage lsaid contact elements to electrically connect them, one Qf Said ends being relatively close to the axis line of said switch member and constantly in 'engagement with the associated contact.e1ement, the other of said ends be ing remote from said axis line and movable into andl out of engagement With the other contact element, and yieldable mounting means engaged by the pivots of the switch member to permit yielding of the switch member in a direction transverse toits. axis.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, a supporting member, a bracket having angularly disposed arms, a magnet carried by `one of said arms, means adjustably securing` the other of said arms to the support-ing member, and 'operable to vary the angie of Said magnet, and an armature pivoted lto said bracket having an of-set end coaoting `with the core of the magnet.

LOUIS J. WICK. 

